Eating More Walnuts May Help You Live Longer, Suggests Harvard Study

The study found that eating more walnuts, more often, was linked with improved longevity in both men and women. More specifically, they found that consuming five or more 1-ounce servings of walnuts per week was associated with a 14% lower risk of death—from any cause—and an additional 1.3 years of life, when compared to participants who didn't consume walnuts.

On top of that, researchers found that in cases where participants had a "suboptimal diet" (based on data on food, nutrients, and chronic disease risk), one half-cup serving of walnuts per day led to a 12% lower risk of death, and specifically a 26% lower risk of death from cardiovascular diseases.

While it is important to note that the study was supported by the California Walnut Commission, it did include data from over 90,000 participants (67,014 women and 26,326 men, to be exact) and up to 20 years of follow-up.

Walnuts do seem to be consistently associated with promising health outcomes. Previous studies have linked walnuts to better gut and heart health and anti-inflammatory benefits—they've even been called the best nut for supporting healthy aging. Not only that, but some of the neurologists we've chatted with agree that walnuts are pretty much the ultimate brain-healthy snack (thanks to healthy omega-3 fats). They're also, of course, a good source of protein and therefore a favorite among nutritionists for snacking during the day.